Hale Teofilo attempts an off-load at the weekend.
The Yass Golf Club Magpies now know where the bar is set after crashing to their first defeat for 2012.
In thetop of the table clash in Queanbeyan against defending premiers the Roos, the Magpies ran out of steam in the second half and lost 46-20.
Yass dominated the first 25 minutes of a very willing game of football, having all the field position and the majority of possession. The Magpies skipped to a 10–0 lead through a try to winger Junior Vatikani which was quickly followed by a barnstorming effort from Victor Teofilo.
With Tim Warden’s accurate kicking game and some enthusiastic defence keeping the Roo’s down their own end of the field, the Magpies were well in control and were unlucky not to go further ahead.
But the tide started to turn, with the Roos running in three tries in seven minutes to suddenly lead 18-10.
Yass hit back just before the break when Allen Malua snatched a Chris Rawlinson cross-field kick out the arms of a Roos’ defender for a try which made the score 18-16.
However,the second half was a different story. The Roos started to expose some defensive weaknesses around the ruck and the Magpies struggled to halt their progress. Yass’ first up tackling was ineffective as the Roos made some huge inroads up the centre.
The Magpies were also getting caned by the referee which made their task that much harder. In the end the score blew out but there were a number of positives to come out of the match.
The Roos are a very good, well drilled outfit who are the side to beat. For the Magpies to match it with them for majority of the first half showed what they are capable of. The young Yass forward pack were not intimidated by the more experienced Roos forwards which was a plus, but they will have to work on their defence around the marker region.
Best for the Magpies was Victor Teofilo who had a really strong game up front with Warden, Vatikani, Anthony Broers and David Rimoni all prominent.
Queanbeyan Roos 46 def Yass Magpies 20 (Vatikani 2, Malua, V Teofilo tries, Warden 2 goals)
(Reserve grade)
A gutsy Yass Magpies reserve grade side just couldn’t find the killer blow when they were downed by the Queanbeyan Roos 24-20, on Saturday.
With only three players on the bench, the Magpies were always behind the eight ball but came to play and nearly knocked over the competition leaders.
The Magpies stunned the Roos with two early tries through Greg Castle and Nick Pollack, but the Roos fought their way back and led 14-10 at the break.
Scott Naughton got the Magpies back in front on the resumption when he sliced through a gap for a smart try. Yass then went further in front, 20-14, when Phil Sparnon sent Pollack over for his second try of the afternoon.
Much like the first grade, the penalty count then began to mount against the Magpies who found themselves pinned on their own line. With 15 minutes to go, Yass was a man down with the sin-binning of Adam Waters, and the Roos pounced. The weight of possession then went the Roos way and two quick tries had the home side ahead 24-20. Yass couldn’t make up the difference.
Despite the loss, it was a huge improvement on the Magpies past games. The team played with a lot of intensity and looked as though they wanted to be there. Another repeat performance this weekend and they will crack it for a win.
Queanbeyan Roos 24 def Yass Magpies 20 (Pollack 2, Castle, Naughton tries, Lawrence 2 goals)
(Under 18s)
Yass junior side played at Seifford Oval and, against the Queanbeyan Blues, they were never threatened.
Final score was Yass 42 defeatedQueanbeyan Blues 16.
